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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Open Transom... Good or Bad?

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/21/2003 : 11:52:57

Hi All,

I was just lurking on a Compac site and discussion of a new design that seems to be offering an open transom. The comments were generally negative about the open transom. The prototype is not finished, so the comments are opinion rather than experential.

These spurred thoughts to when the c250 was released... "I wouldn't have an open transom" was the reaction of a great many.

Nine years later... what are the observations of those who have experienced and open transom design?

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

N/E Texas and Great Lakes
Arlyn's Sailing Site

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 12/21/2003 11:56:18

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2003 : 21:25:44

The 250 is my first open transom boat. And although I did not let it weigh in on the buying decision making process, I had enough and more important issues on my plate, I always thought I'd feel a little naked, sort of like driving a Jeep without doors at highway speeds.

Now that Lady Kay is about to complete her first season I must say that I wouldn't have it any other way. For starters, getting in and out of the boat while on the trailer with stuff in your hands would be an athletic event without the boarding ladder and the open stern.

While sailing, the swim ladder provides adequate security on port, while the OB takes care of starboard. I have, sofar, not seen any water enter the cockpit from there.

Finally, I really don't miss the clogged up drains I've dealt with on other boats. Cleaning the cockpit, with water or just with a dry rag is a breeze. Not to mention the benefit of the added safety provided by the lack of hoses and through hulls.

So, I did not think I'd love it, but I do.

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618

Edited by - Oscar on 12/21/2003 21:28:46

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 01:01:39

This topic somewhat correlates to a topic on the C25 side...The one about the water snakes coming aboard through the scuppers. I'd imagine they could just waltz right in with the C250's open transom.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 07:56:34

The C 250 was my first sailboat and we have enjoyed the position of the swim ladder also. Getting up in years we did not want to climb up
a ladder strung over the side or back of the boat. Grand kids love it also. I would have been skeptical to buy any Hunter which as everyone knows has a true open transom. And, oh yes are the water snakes more active in the winter or summer months down south? Have had a few waves break over the open part of the transom but only when in the slip. "Happy Holidays" to all. "Bear" in Schenectady N.Y.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 09:40:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I'd imagine they could just waltz right in with the C250's open transom. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah, but it would be a lot easier to get them out.

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 11:01:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Oscar
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I'd imagine they could just waltz right in with the C250's open transom. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah, but it would be a lot easier to get them out.

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Good point!

Edited by - on

bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 11:10:56

Hi All,
I agree wi th all of the above comments. This is our first open transom boat, and it was one of the features that attracted us to the boat, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Merry Christmas, happy hollidays and happy New Year to all

Bill C250wb #134 Serendipity (now on the hard

)

Edited by - on

zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 11:17:56

I would have to agree with all the above. The major conveniences and, as far as we have found, no drawbacks make it a plus. It was one of the many itmes that made the 250 our choice.

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 12:45:14

This is my second open transom boat. Being an inland lake sailor I believe the open transom is fine. I cannot comment on the effects of being in bigger water with following seas. I can see if the conditions were right you could have some wet feet. The big pluses, entering and exiting the water using the swim ladder is a breeze and the ability to have an outboard motor on a permanent mount is great as well and no drains to get plugged.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 12:58:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bryan Beamer
 ...The big pluses, entering and exiting the water using the swim ladder is a breeze and the ability to have an outboard motor on a permanent mount is great as well and no drains to get plugged.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bryan,

I like the open transom as well, but I have a question concerning the outboard. With the outboard mounted to the transom, does the motor drag in the water even when tilted up? It would appear that it does, especially on a port tack.

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 13:26:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bryan Beamer
 ...The big pluses, entering and exiting the water using the swim ladder is a breeze and the ability to have an outboard motor on a permanent mount is great as well and no drains to get plugged.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bryan,

I like the open transom as well, but I have a question concerning the outboard. With the outboard mounted to the transom, does the motor drag in the water even when tilted up? It would appear that it does, especially on a port tack.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My XLS Honda 15hp does not drag in the water. You do have to tilt it all the way to the last latching position

Here is a picture of a port tack at a heel of around 20 degrees.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 13:35:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bryan Beamer
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bryan Beamer
 ...The big pluses, entering and exiting the water using the swim ladder is a breeze and the ability to have an outboard motor on a permanent mount is great as well and no drains to get plugged.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bryan,

I like the open transom as well, but I have a question concerning the outboard. With the outboard mounted to the transom, does the motor drag in the water even when tilted up? It would appear that it does, especially on a port tack.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My XLS Honda 15hp does not drag in the water. You do have to tilt it all the way to the last latching position

Here is a picture of a port tack at a heel of around 20 degrees.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks Bryan. It looked as though it would drag in the water, but your picture shows perfectly what I couldn't see.

As for the transom, I wonder if I could retro fit an open transom in my C25? Hmmmmmm!

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 15:59:21

Bryan - that's a very interesting pic. On "This Side Up" we have to 1. Tilt the motor all the way up and then 2. throw a loop around the lower unit and pull the motor up more and tie it to the stern rail, otherwise on stbd tack it does drag (O/B is on port side).
Derek

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 17:46:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 On "This Side Up" we have to 1. Tilt the motor all the way up and then 2. throw a loop around the lower unit and pull the motor up more and tie it to the stern rail, otherwise on stbd tack it does drag (O/B is on port side).
Derek
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How far do you have to heel before it drags?
I have never looked at this, is the C25 outboard farther away from the center on the transom than the C250?

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2003 : 23:21:28

Bryan - I've never really considered the O/B placement before...but I think it must be further outboard than on a C250. We only have to heel about 15 degrees to drag the motor (if we don't have it rigged as in the prior post). It's an XLS Nissan 8.
Derek

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2003 : 18:41:43

Arlyn, I thought I read in either Sailing or Sail magazine in the last couple of years about the insurance industry weighing in on open transoms. They felt it was a safety issue plus factor. Easier to execute a "MOB" recovery. Made sense.

Edited by - on

Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2003 : 20:34:18

Arlyn;
The open transom was # 1 in my buying decision (I really was looking for a 270 Pearson). I decided that with 80lb (since lost) and 50lb Labs and a 10 year old, that a open transom was a must. Everything mentioned above I would also agree with. I water ski with some friends with ski boats and they love the open transom both stating that the Catalina 250 is easier to get out of the water than their boats. I have read a lot of things about the safety (or potential lack therof) of boarding through the transom and even though it would be quite dangerous in rough seas I would prefer the cut through transom as opposed to over the side. I have read two accounts of MOB comming back aboard in 10' seas and they admitted it was tricky but didn't think they could have made it over the side.

Don we have a fair amount of water snakes on Brookville, and so far i have watched them swim by the open transom without trying to board.

The only drawback I have found with our 250 design is that when something hits the sole better grab it quick before it gets a chance to escape out that open transom. Lost a few things so far!

There is no way I would ever consider anything other than a cut through transom. Guess that scratches a Hinckley off my list.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2003 : 08:01:41

This summer I had the opportunity to climb aboard a Seaward 25 from my inflatable. The swim ladder didn't have expanded rungs and hurt my bare feet, the ladder was leaning slightly forward on the bottom which required much more of my weight to be supported by my arms rather than legs. It required of course climbing over the full transom. It was a chore, and I was in fairly good shape.

I couldn't believe the difference compared to my C250, but soon recalled how difficult it was to get back aboard my C22 with the hang on ladder it had.

We use our boat as a road camper on the annual haul from Texas to Great Lakes... its a piece of cake to climb aboard from the parking lot. I too give the swim ladder and open transom very high marks.

The slight loss of cockpit storage locker lost to the open transom is well worth the trade.

Edited by - on

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